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Seasonal Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in the Lis River, Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Bárbara Sá

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Joana Pais

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Joana Antunes

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • João Pequeno

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Ana Pires

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
    CENTIMFE—Technological Centre for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and Plastic Industries, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal)

  • Paula Sobral

    (MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

Abstract

The majority of microplastics (MP) found in the marine environment have land-based sources and rivers are known as carriers of these particles to the ocean. This work is the first to study MP in the Lis River Basin and coastal shoreline (total nine sampling sites) and the potential relationship with inputs from 105 companies/units. We report the seasonal abundance, typology, colour, size, and polymer distribution of MP in surface water and sediment. To the collected samples, a digestion protocol was applied, followed by filtration. For sediment, an MP density separation was performed prior to filtration. MP were mostly fibres (0.02 to 1111.11 items.m −3 in water and 10.66 to 1609.64 items.kg −1 in sediment) and fragments (0.02 to 2311.11 items.m −3 in water and 10.66 to 501.01 items.kg −1 in sediment). The most frequent colours were transparent and blue, and MP were mostly smaller than 1 mm in water and 2 mm in sediment samples. The most abundant polymers in water were polyethylene (37%), polyacrylate (18%) and polystyrene (18%), and in sediment, polyethylene terephthalate (29%) and polyacrylate (23%). Population density, plastic processing companies and meteorological factors were found to be associated with seasonal MP abundance and distribution patterns in the Lis River Basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Bárbara Sá & Joana Pais & Joana Antunes & João Pequeno & Ana Pires & Paula Sobral, 2022. "Seasonal Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in the Lis River, Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2255-:d:751049
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Andreia Ribeiro & Carlos Gravato & João Cardoso & Carlos Alexandre Ribeiro & Maria Natividade Vieira & Carolina Rodrigues, 2022. "Microplastic Contamination and Ecological Status of Freshwater Ecosystems: A Case Study in Two Northern Portuguese Rivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Valentin Marian Antohi & Romeo Victor Ionescu & Monica Laura Zlati & Catalina Iticescu & Puiu Lucian Georgescu & Madalina Calmuc, 2023. "Regional Regression Correlation Model of Microplastic Water Pollution Control Using Circular Economy Tools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-23, February.

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